Nagano
Landlocked Nagano is Japan’s rooftop — a high-altitude prefecture ringed by the Northern, Central, and Southern Alps, where peaks exceed 3,000 metres and mountain villages have preserved centuries-old traditions. Home to the 1998 Winter Olympics, Nagano offers some of Japan’s finest skiing, the world-famous Jigokudani snow monkeys bathing in natural hot springs, and the elegant black-walled Matsumoto Castle.
北・中央・南の三つのアルプスに囲まれた日本の屋根・長野。標高3000m超の山々と深い渓谷が織りなす雄大な自然の中に、1998年冬季五輪の舞台・スキーリゾート・温泉に入るサルで有名な地獄谷・黒壁の国宝松本城が共存します。
Nagano’s identity is inseparable from the mountains that surround it. The Kita Alps (Northern Alps) contain some of Japan’s most celebrated hiking destinations — Kamikochi’s glacially carved valley, Hakuba’s Olympic ski slopes, and the ancient mountain pass routes (nakasendo) that connected Edo-era merchants between Kyoto and Edo. Nagano also has a deeply rooted agricultural identity: the prefecture produces exceptional sake from pure Alpine snowmelt water, the finest soba buckwheat grown at high elevation, and uniquely complex miso aged in the cool mountain air.
長野のアイデンティティは山岳と不可分です。上高地の氷河谷・白馬のオリンピックゲレンデ・中山道の宿場町など多彩な魅力が揃います。また清冽な雪解け水を使った日本酒・高原で育った蕎麦・山の冷気で熟成させた味噌など、農業・食文化も卓越しています。
Recommended Omiyage
おすすめおみやげ 5選
Shinshu Soba (Dry Pack)
Nagano (Shinshu) is Japan’s premier soba prefecture — the cold, clean mountain air and pure snowmelt water create ideal conditions for growing high-quality buckwheat. Shinshu soba has a deep earthy fragrance and satisfying texture that distinguishes it from lesser buckwheat noodles. Premium dry-pack sets tied with washi paper make beautiful gifts.
信州は日本一のそば処。冷涼な気候と清冽な水が良質なそば粉を育てます。信州そばは香り高く風味豊かで、和紙でくるんだ高級乾麺セットはお土産として大人気。
Oyaki Dumplings
A Shinshu farmer’s staple for centuries — a flatbread wrap of wheat or buckwheat flour, filled with seasonal vegetables (nozawana pickled greens, eggplant miso, pumpkin, wild mushroom) then steamed or baked on an open flame. Every region and shop has its own recipe. Freshly made oyaki from an elderly grandmother’s shop is a quintessential Nagano experience.
信州農家の伝統食・おやき。小麦や蕎麦粉の皮に野沢菜・ナス味噌・かぼちゃ・きのこなど季節の具を包んで蒸し焼きに。地域や店によって微妙に異なる味わいが魅力。おばあちゃんの手作りおやきはひと味違います。
Shinshu Miso
Nagano produces 40% of Japan’s miso — the cool mountain climate and pure water create ideal slow-fermentation conditions. Shinshu miso (typically medium-aged, pale golden in colour) is lighter and less salty than the darker Hatcho variety, making it the most widely used in Japanese home cooking. Premium gift sets with multiple varieties are a fine culinary souvenir.
全国の味噌生産量の40%を占める信州みそ。山の冷涼な気候がゆっくりとした発酵を促し、淡い黄金色・すっきりとした旨みが特長です。複数の種類が楽しめるギフトセットは料理好きへの最高の贈り物。
Shinshu Ringo (Apple) Sweets
Nagano is Japan’s top apple-growing prefecture, accounting for over 50% of national production. The mountain orchards produce intensely flavoured apples — Fuji, Tsugaru, and the local Shinshu-bred varieties — that appear in apple pies, dried apple rings, apple butter, and beautifully packaged juices. The best apple sweets capture the perfect balance of tartness and sweetness.
国産りんごの50%超を生産する日本一のりんご産地・長野。フジ・つがる・信州生まれの品種など多彩なりんごを使ったアップルパイ・ドライリング・りんごバター・ジュースなどのお菓子はどれも絶品です。
Shinshu Sake
The pure snowmelt water from the Alps and cool fermentation temperatures produce some of Japan’s most refined sake. The Suwa, Matsumoto, and Obuse areas are home to outstanding breweries — look for the clear, delicate ‘karakuchi’ (dry) styles that pair beautifully with soba and mountain vegetables. Many breweries offer tours and tasting rooms.
北アルプスの雪解け水と冷涼な気候が育む信州の地酒。諏訪・松本・小布施など各地に優れた蔵元があり、すっきりとした辛口スタイルが信州料理との相性抜群。蔵見学や試飲ができる蔵元も多いです。
Must-Visit Spots
おすすめスポット 5選
Jigokudani Monkey Park
One of Japan’s most extraordinary wildlife encounters — wild Japanese macaques (snow monkeys) soak in a natural hot spring surrounded by snow, steam, and mountain forest. The park is open year-round, but winter (January–March) offers the iconic image of pink-faced monkeys submerged in steaming water, seemingly in blissful contemplation.
野生のニホンザルが雪の中で温泉に入る光景は世界に類を見ない絶景。1〜3月の厳冬期が最もインスタ映えするシーズンで、雪化粧の温泉に浸かる赤い顔のサルたちを間近で観察できます。
Kamikochi Valley
Japan’s finest alpine valley — accessible only by bus or on foot (no private cars), Kamikochi’s flat floor is carved by the crystal-clear Azusa River between 3,000-metre peaks. The iconic Kappa Bridge and reflections of Hotaka-dake in Taisho Pond have inspired Japanese artists and mountaineers for generations. Open April–November only.
乗用車乗り入れ禁止の聖域・上高地。清澄な梓川と穂高連峰が織りなす景観は日本屈指の美しさで、河童橋からの眺めは誰もが写真を撮りたくなる絶景。4〜11月限定開山のため、計画的な訪問が必要です。
Matsumoto Castle
Japan’s finest surviving original castle — the elegant black-and-white five-storey donjon (1590s) has never been destroyed or reconstructed, making it a genuine medieval fortress. The ‘Crow Castle’ reflects perfectly in its moat when conditions are right, with the Northern Alps as a backdrop. One of Japan’s 100 Fine Castles.
現存天守12城のひとつ・松本城は、1590年代建造のそのままの姿が今も残る日本最古の木造天守。黒塗りの外壁から「烏城（からすじょう）」と呼ばれ、水堀への映り込みと北アルプスを背景にした姿が絶景。
Zenkoji Temple
One of Japan’s most important Buddhist temples — founded in the 7th century, Zenkoji is one of the few major temples with no affiliation to a single sect, welcoming all visitors regardless of faith. The main hall (rebuilt 1707) houses a secret sacred image never shown to the public. The pre-dawn Ocho-daishi morning service is a deeply atmospheric experience.
宗派を問わず全ての人を受け入れる「一生に一度は善光寺詣り」で有名な古刹。7世紀創建で本尊は絶対秘仏。1707年再建の本堂は国宝で、早朝のお朝事（法要）は厳かで感動的な体験です。
Hakuba Snow Resort
Host of the 1998 Winter Olympics alpine events, Hakuba’s nine interconnected ski resorts offer some of Japan’s best powder snow conditions — the valley receives over 11 metres of snowfall annually. In summer, the meadows bloom with wildflowers and the valley becomes a hiking and mountain biking destination.
1998年冬季五輪のアルペン競技会場・白馬は、9つのスキー場が連なる日本有数のスノーリゾート。年間積雪量11m超のパウダースノーは国内外のスキーヤーを引きつけます。夏は高山植物が咲き誇り、ハイキングや自転車も楽しめます。
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get to Jigokudani Monkey Park?
From Nagano Station: take the Nagano Dentetsu railway to Yudanaka Station (40 min, ~¥1,300), then a local bus or taxi to Kanbayashi Onsen. From there it’s a 30-minute walk through the forest. Alternatively, guided tours from Nagano city operate daily in winter.
長野駅から長野電鉄で湯田中駅へ（40分・約1,300円）、そこからバス・タクシーで上林温泉へ。森の中の遊歩道を30分歩くと公苑に到着。冬季は長野市内からの日帰りガイドツアーもあります。
Is Nagano good to visit in summer?
Excellent — the high altitude keeps temperatures 5–10°C cooler than Tokyo, and Kamikochi’s meadows are in full flower from July–August. Matsumoto’s summer festival and Nagano’s firefly season (June) are highlights. The mountains are also prime hiking territory from July to early October.
夏の長野は最高です。標高が高いため東京より5〜10℃涼しく、7〜8月は上高地の高山植物が見頃。松本の夏祭り・6月のホタルの季節も見どころ。7月〜10月初旬はアルプス登山のベストシーズンでもあります。
Can I combine Nagano with a Mt. Fuji trip?
Yes — take the Shinkansen from Nagano to Kofu (via Matsumoto), then onward to Fujiyoshida or Kawaguchiko for the Fuji 5 Lakes area. Alternatively, go via Tokyo. The journey requires changing trains but is doable in a day.
可能です。長野から松本経由で甲府へ新幹線・特急を乗り継ぎ、富士吉田・河口湖へ。東京経由でも到達できます。乗り換えは必要ですが1日で移動可能なルートです。
💡 Pro Tip: If you’re visiting in winter for the snow monkeys, book Yudanaka onsen ryokan accommodation. Soaking in an outdoor rotemburo hot spring with snow falling is one of Japan’s most memorable winter experiences — pair it with a monkey park morning visit.
💡 旅のヒント：雪のサルを見に行くなら湯田中の旅館に一泊するのが最高。雪が降る中で露天風呂に浸かる体験は、日本の冬旅行の最高峰。翌朝に地獄谷を訪問するのが理想のスケジュールです。
